Valve Actuator and Valve

Abstract

A valve actuator (18) for a valve (10) is described, comprising a dielectric elastomer converter module (20) having two opposite ends (20a, 20b). Each end (20a, 20b) is provided with at least one connection element (22) for coupling the valve actuator (18) to a retaining part (24) and an actuating part (26) of the valve (10), respectively. Each end (20a, 20b) is connected to the respectively associated connection element (22) via an adhesive bond. Furthermore, a valve (10) having such a valve actuator (18) is presented.

1 . A valve actuator for a valve, comprising a dielectric elastomer converter module having two opposite ends, each end being provided with at least one connection element for coupling the valve actuator to a retaining part and an actuating part of the valve, respectively, characterized in that each end is connected to the respectively associated connection element via an adhesive bond. 
     
     
         2 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the connection elements are identical parts. 
     
     
         3 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the dielectric elastomer converter module is electrically coupled to at least one connection element. 
     
     
         4 . The valve actuator according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the dielectric elastomer converter module is electrically connected to an electrical conductor track and/or an electrically conductive coating section of the connection element. 
     
     
         5 . The valve actuator according to  claim 3 , characterized in that the dielectric elastomer converter module is electrically coupled to the at least one connection element via a conductive paste section and/or an electrically conductive adhesive section. 
     
     
         6 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each of the connection elements has a coupling section for mechanical connection to the retaining part and/or to the actuating part of the valve. 
     
     
         7 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the connection element is substantially plate-shaped, in particular wherein an adhesive surface is provided for forming the adhesive bond. 
     
     
         8 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the dielectric elastomer converter module is single-layered or multilayered. 
     
     
         9 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a modulus of elasticity of the connection element is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the adhesive bond, in particular wherein the modulus of elasticity of the adhesive bond is greater than a modulus of elasticity of the dielectric elastomer converter module. 
     
     
         10 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that each end of the elastomer converter module is provided with a total of two connection elements, each end being positioned between the respectively associated connection elements. 
     
     
         11 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a further dielectric elastomer converter module is provided which extends substantially parallel to the dielectric elastomer converter module, ends of the elastomer converter modules corresponding to each other being each connected to the same connection element. 
     
     
         12 . The valve actuator according to  claim 11 , characterized by a plurality of dielectric elastomer converter modules extending in parallel, adjacent ends of the elastomer converter modules each receiving a connection element therebetween, in particular wherein the ends of externally located elastomer converter modules are each connected to two connection elements. 
     
     
         13 . The valve actuator according to  claim 1 , characterized in that a connection element body of the connection element is made of an electrically non-conductive material, in particular a ceramic material or a plastic material. 
     
     
         14 . A valve actuator for a valve, comprising a dielectric elastomer converter module having two opposite ends, each end being provided with at least one connection element for coupling the valve actuator to a retaining part or an actuating part of the valve, respectively, characterized in that each end is connected to the respectively associated connection element via an adhesive bond, the elastomer converter module being formed from a plurality of stacked layers, the direction in which the layers lie one on top of the other being perpendicular to the direction in which the elastomer converter module acts during operation, the adhesive bond serving both for fastening and force application and for electrical contacting. 
     
     
         15 . A valve comprising a valve actuator according to  claim 1 , a first connection element being coupled to a retaining part and a second connection element being coupled to an actuating part of the valve.